JEWISH DEMS Applaud Action and Accomplishments under Iran Deal

January 17, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, a number of developments have emerged in light of Iran’s fulfillment of key commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. In response, the National Jewish Democratic Council released the following statement:

“This past week’s events demonstrate what can be accomplished with disciplined, strong and smart diplomatic engagement, especially with yesterday’s verification that Iran has meet key commitments agreed to under the nuclear deal. This means that Iran’s four pathways to a nuclear weapon have been blocked, that two-thirds of Iran’s centrifuges have been dismantled, and that Iran has removed and filled with concrete its only source of weapons-grade plutonium. This is all been verified by the unprecedented access international inspectors have to Iran’s nuclear facilities.

"In his address this morning, the president stated that the U.S. will continue to remain steadfast in opposing Iran’s destabilizing behavior elsewhere, including its threats against Israel and our Gulf partners, and its support for violent proxies in neighboring states including Syria and Yemen. Today’s announcement is just the latest example that the administration will continue to vigorously enforce sanctions on Iran for its violations of human rights, for its support of terrorism, and for its ballistic missile program.

“Furthermore, we have seen, as the result of accelerated discussions between U.S. and Iranian governments, the return of several Americans detained by Iran. We welcome the return of Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former Marine Amir Hekmati; Christian preacher Saeed Abedini; and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari. We continue to support the administration in their search for private investigator and retired FBI agent Robert Levinson and appreciate the president’s steadfast dedication to reuniting him with his family, as well.

“While we recognize that the president and this deal has critics, we hope that even those who have staked out strict positions against the deal can acknowledge that today brings some good news; four families have been reunited with their loved ones."